How much has changed since then, I wondered? What would my answers look like today, I pondered?

Only one way to find out, I yelled internally! Here is the un-filled out Mad Lib from over 8 years ago below, and then under that you’ll find 2009’s J. Money answers, followed by 2017’s J. Money answers.

After that, it’s your turn to divulge!

THE BLANK FINANCIAL MAD LIB:

Hi, my name is ______ . I currently have ______ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth _______, and now have a net worth of _______. I currently work ________ and have been doing it for ______ years. I make roughly ______ per year. I want to have ______waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy ______. I think the world would be a better place if _____ didn’t exist. I had ______ for dinner last night and it was ______. I have had ______ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is ______. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to ______.

*******

J. Money 2009 Answers:

Hi my name is J. Money. I currently have 17 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $58,769.65, and now have a net worth of $95,149.11. I currently work for a start-up and have been doing it for 6 years. I make roughly $80,000 per year. I want to have $1 Million waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy flying to new places. I think the world would be a better place if idiotsdidn’t exist. I had a chicken quesadilla for dinner last night and it was bar food. I have had 10 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is that I smell my food & drinks before I consume them. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to get back to work before I get caught.

*******

And Now, 2017’s J. Money’s Answers!

Hi my name is J. Money. I currently have $49.00 dollars in my wallet money clip. When I started managing my finances I was worth $58,769.65, and now have a net worth of $636,893.40. I currently work as a full-time blogger and have been doing it for 8years. I make roughly $75,000-$150,000 per year (depending on how much I hustle). I want to have $1,500,000 waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoytaking walks with my two little boys. I think the world would be a better place if pot holes didn’t exist. I had mac & cheese for dinner last night and it was magnificent. I have had 10 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is that I’ve never tried any drugs outside of alcohol (not even marijuana). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to try marijuana!!! ;)

*******

A lot can change in 8 years! Unfortunately our comments got lost from a blog migration back in ’09 so I can’t tell if any of you are still here from around then, but go ahead and fill this out now and then we’ll come back in another 8 years to see what’s different!

It may be because I’ve read enough of your articles to see how you’ve changed through the years, but I think these two simple paragraphs highlight that.

Of course, you’ve gone from working for the man to working for THE MAN (ha – see what I did there). Beginning with “I want to have $XXX…” it’s easy to see that even though you’ve worked longer than you originally intended your end goal hasn’t drastically changed. It seems your plans have gone on the back burner for far more important things. Kids will do that to ya ;)

From enjoying “flying to new places” to “walks with your kids” and “wishing away idiots” to cursing “pot holes” – There’s definitely a clear mind shift if you read between the lines.

Hi, my name is _Roy Largo_ . I currently have _32_ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth _$5,643_, and now have a net worth of _$217,614_. I currently work _as a financial analyst_ and have been doing it for _3_ years. I make roughly _$61,750_ per year. I want to have _$800,000_waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy _being with my sons_. I think the world would be a better place if _debt_ didn’t exist. I had _a bean burrito_ for dinner last night and it was _disappointing_. I have had _4_ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is _I’ve never drank alcohol, tea, or coffee_. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _start doing my work_.

Hi, my name is [Chris] . I currently have [zero] dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth [ -$82,726 ], and now have a net worth of [$423,966]. I currently work [Information Tech/Security] and have been doing it for [10] years. I make roughly [$127,000, after taxes, but we live on just $34,000] per year. I want to have [my family and $4,500/mo passive income] waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy [working with my hands]. I think the world would be a better place if [greed] didn’t exist. I had [pizza] for dinner last night and it was [$9 for a large/carryout, fed all 4 of us!]. I have had [9] significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is [I was on a tour bus that wrecked in the mountains (brakes failed) in northern Thailand, had emergency surgery there, had re-do surgery once I got back to the states, didn’t have travel insurance, so the Thai tour bus insurance policy paid $6,000.]. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to [finish getting ready and go to the 9-5 sweat shop].

Hi, my name is _Budget On a Stick_ . I currently have _0_ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth _150k_, and now have a net worth of _223k_. I currently work _as a software developer_ and have been doing it for _6_ years. I make roughly _83k_ per year. I want to have _1.25 million_waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy _hanging out with my family_. I think the world would be a better place if _credit cards_ didn’t exist. I had _homemade meatballs with pasta_ for dinner last night and it was _amazing_. I have had _2_ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is _i act very illogical sometimes to balance out having to think highly logical at work all day_. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _read the the other 8 blog posts open in my chrome browser_.

Hi, my name is Paul . I currently have $0 dollars in my wallet (who actually carries cash?). When I started managing my finances I was worth $35,000, and now have a net worth of $370,000. I currently work for myself and have been doing it for 2 years. I make roughly $200,000 – $240,000 per year. I want to have adventure and a smothered burrito waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy gardening and growing trees from seed and cuttings. I think the world would be a better place if racism, rednecks, the stars and bars, and the current non-single payer healthcare system in the US didn’t exist. I had a hamburger topped with pepper jack, ham, bacon, red onion, a soft egg, and guacamole for dinner last night and it was awesome. I have had 1 significant others (because only 1 qualifies as significant, but 7 that qualify as other) over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I wear a size 14 shoe. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to find another way to procrastinate instead of working.

p.s. I imagined this mad lib as done by my children, in that instance every single blank space would read butt or butts.

Hi, my name is Full Time Finance _ . I currently have ___7___ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth __-63,000_____, and now have a net worth of _. I currently work as a Sr. Program Manager_ and have been doing it for 1_years. I make roughly alot_ per year. I want to have _$2,500,000__waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy hiking with my family_. I think the world would be a better place if government waste_ didn’t exist. I had _Fajitas__ for dinner last night and it was _filling_. I have had _5_ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is _I work all over the world_. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _go to work__.

Hi, my name is Brian. I currently have six dollars in my pocket. When I started managing my finances I was worth $153,129, and now have a net worth of $357K. I currently work as an IT PM and have been doing it for 20 years. I make roughly six figures per year. I want to have $1.5 million waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy helping others, and spending time with my family. I think the world would be a better place if debt didn’t exist. I had tri-tip for dinner last night and it was amazing. I have had 4 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I don’t drink beer. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to have breakfast.

Hi, my name is __Nicole____ . I currently have ___$1___ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth _-$48,500______, and now have a net worth of _$216,000______. I currently work ___engineering_____ and have been doing it for ___11___ years. I make roughly __$90,000____ per year. I want to have _$4M_____waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy __blogging____. I think the world would be a better place if __debt___ didn’t exist. I had __bbq____ for dinner last night and it was __ok____. I have had __4____ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is _I don’t wear make-up _____. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _read more blogs_____.

In 2009 I had gone from bankrupt to a bit better than living paycheck to paycheck. The year before I finished payoff on all but one of the pre-bankruptcy bills I chose to honor after Chapter 7. I was still with someone who, while not spending beyond our (my) capabilities [as the only wage-earner, agreed to by both of us as he was home for our children], spent close to the limit so we did not really save money. I enabled it, didn’t push for savings, both our faults.

My net worth at that time was approximately -65K with only asset a car (and furniture?)

Now, I am about 1/4 of where I want to be for retirement in savings, I am positive in asset ratio, and if I want to buy something I can, without worrying if it will hurt. I probably won’t though, except for eating out. I have been an empty nester for about 15 months now, and am still trying to figure out this cooking for one thing.

Hi, my name is ___Mrs. Adventure Rich___ . I currently have ___$12___ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth ___about ($32,000)… as in NEGATIVE $32K____, and now have a net worth of ___$256K (with Mr. Adventure Rich)____. I currently work ___full time for a Fortune 50 Company_____ and have been doing it for __5+____ years. I make roughly ___(psst- its a secret..)___ per year. I want to have ___$1.5M (?)___waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy __outdoor adventures! (running, biking, hiking, canoing)____. I think the world would be a better place if __negatively judging others___ didn’t exist. I had ___steak, morel mushrooms and leeks (from our yard!) and asparagus___ for dinner last night and it was ___a delicious Mother’s Day treat!___. I have had __6____ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is __I am happiest after a completely physically exhausting day____. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _go finish making my son’s breakfast____.

Hi, my name is Lisa . I currently have $22 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth , and now have a net worth of $147K. I currently work as an Accountant and have been doing it for 23 years. I make roughly $77K per year. I want to have $800K waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy being an anunt, Disneyland, and traveling. I think the world would be a better place if cars didn’t exist. I had meat loaf for dinner last night and it was comforting. I have had 1 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I am an ovarian cancer survivor because it was caught in stage 1 (instead of stage 3 or 4) thanks to a 23 lb tumor that grew over the course of a summer (crazy, I know but it actually saved my life!). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to go change from my bike commuting gear and get ready for work.

Hi, my name is __Mr. TnT__ . I currently have __$83 cash and over $200K in Credit card limit__ in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth __-3,000__, and now have a net worth of __$ 3.8 Million__. I currently work __as a Computer Analyst__ and have been doing it for __21__ years. I make roughly __$150K, which will become $0 when I retire in a couple weeks__ per year. I want to have __$2 Million (whoops I overshot by a bit by working too long)__ waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy __hanging with my dachshunds__. I think the world would be a better place if __politicians__ didn’t exist. I had __a Gyro__ for dinner last night and it was __OK__. I have had __2__ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is __I am a DINK in a family oriented state__. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to __watch some YouTube__.

Hi, my name is Kelan. I currently have $62 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $100, and now have a net worth of $55,000. I currently work as a full-time entrepreneur/blogger and have been doing it for 1 week =). I don’t know what I will make this year. I want to have 2.5 million waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy football. I think the world would be a better place if evil didn’t exist. I had spaghetti for dinner last night and it was excellent. I have had one significant other over the course of my lifetime (married my 9th-grade girlfriend). One thing that makes me different is my fearlessness to follow my dreams. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to blog some more.

Hi, my name is Tonya . I currently have 0 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth -$59,860.80, and now have a net worth of -$8,987.07. I currently work as a teacher and have been doing it for 14 years. I make roughly $72,000 per year. I want to have $1M waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy reading. I think the world would be a better place if greed didn’t exist. I had scallops for dinner last night and it was delicious. I have had 6 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I’m a redhead. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to chill while my husband makes dinner.

Hi, my name is ___fbgcai ___ . I currently have __81.40___ dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth _I have no idea but it was not negative______, and now have a net worth of _north of 2M____. I currently work _at not working – I guess that’s being retired?____ and have been doing it for _10 ? (don’t really know – I just stopped working (for myself) one day and forgot to make note of it _____ years. I make roughly _what the nestegg throws off_____ per year. I want to have __the nest egg I have____ waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy __life ____. I think the world would be a better place if __politicians ___ didn’t exist. I had __lazy cabbage rolls ___ for dinner last night and it was _damn good :)_____. I have had ___4___ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I live next door______. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _have dinner as I have just been called – grilled spatchcocked chicken yumm!_____.

Hi, my name is K.P . I currently have $1 :-( dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $ -63,000, and now have a net worth of $ -105,000. I currently work as a Supply chain professional and side hustles and have been doing it for 7 years. I make roughly $55,000 per year. I want to have a legacy waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy lifting and connecting with people. I think the world would be a better place if complaining didn’t exist. I had ground turkey with veggie medley for dinner last night and it was amazing. I have had too many significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is mt EQ really high and I care. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to consume more valuable content and connect with more content creators before I sleep.

2017 EDITION
Hi, my name is Friendly Russian. I currently have 89 dollars and a receipt from a Korean Sauna in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth -$55,000, and now have a net worth of $102,337. I currently work for a small fruit company and have been doing it for 3 years. I make roughly $165,000 per year. I want to have $2M waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy adventure traveling on a motorcycle. I think the world would be a better place if allergy didn’t exist. I had borsch (Russian soup) for dinner last night and it was as Russian as usual. I have had to many significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is I don’t drink Vodka. (I know). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to do my English homework.

Hi, my name is ___JJNL___ . I currently have ___€0,50___ in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth ___about -€ 10.000 [This was during the low point of the huge dip in house prices caused by the last economic crisis, my house was under water for a while. That problem wound up solving itself though as prices recovered and then went insane – I live in Amsterdam, the most expensive place to live in the Netherlands]____, and now have a net worth of ___€ 30.000 in savings and index funds + € 60.000 net positive value in my house – our pension system doesn’t work with individual accounts like your 401k’s, so I don’t know how accurately to put a number on my accumulated pension____. I currently work ___as a policy maker for the Dutch government_____ and have been doing it for __12____ years. I make roughly ___€ 35000___ per year. I want to have ___[enough passive income to cover my expenses – don’t have an exact number in mind yet]___waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy __playing around in the great outdoors: hiking, camping, bushcrafting, kayaking____. I think the world would be a better place if __intolerance___ didn’t exist. I had ___some cheese sandwiches and a couple of peaches___ for dinner last night and it was ___an okay dinner on the go___. I have had __6____ significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is __I actually prefer hiking and camping where it is cold and snowy/muddy – my body has good built-in central heating but absolutely crappy airconditioning____. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to _finish my coffee and log on to start working from home____.

Hi, my name is DIY$. I currently have 8 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $0, and now have a net worth of $663,000. I currently work in Corporate Finance and have been doing it for 4 years. I make roughly $150,000 per year. I want to have $2-2.5M waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy spending time with my four children, reading, and playing the piano. I think the world would be a better place if 24 hour cable news didn’t exist. I had pot roast and vegetables for dinner last night and it was awesome. I have had 6? significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is pursuing early retirement with lots of kids (4 so far, and we aren’t done). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to keep looking for millions of dollars to save my employer.

Don’t do it for a girl, do it because you want another one. Take it from me, I have 4 boys. If it helps just realize that from a financial perspective there are upsides as in Costco produce actually makes sense to buy, we haven’t had to buy a lot of new baby clothes (hand me downs FTW), and since the with 4 boys I can not buy nice things at least till I am in my mid 50s I will save on that too. If you look at it that way you almost can not afford not to have another child.

In all seriousness though, the one thing I personally have noticed when I talk to old people is they almost never have any regrets, with one exception, its not “I wish I would have worked and saved more”, It is however always ” I regret not having more kids. I challenge you to strike up a conversation with some old people and find out for yourself. This has been my experience, therefore it could just be the people I have spoken with. At least to me it seems to be a common theme tho.

Very interesting…. I’d def. be happy with a boy if it ended up that way of course, just can’t tell 100% if it’s time or not yet like we knew the other times… I’m pretty sure we’ll end up going for it at some point though :)

For me the biggest hurdle was lack of sleep. It got harder to deal with for each child. I was 35 when our 4th was born. Honestly, I can not imagine having another child again…it really kicked my ass this last time around. But I’m also grateful in that I can be certain that at old age, this will not be one of my regrets.

Hi, my name is Lulu. I currently have 65 cents (don’t carry cash..found this on the ground) in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth some negative amount, and now have a net worth of abut $15,000 (sigh grad school). I currently work on finishing my dissertation and have been in this PhD program for 4 years. I make peanuts per year (full time grad student). I want to have $1,000,000 waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy watching crime scene dramas. I think the world would be a better place if Bath and Body Works would lower their candle prices, green beans did not exist, and everyone used credit cards wisely. I had cheese puffs and tea for dinner last night and it was a reward for eating well during the day and making my 10k steps. I have had 1 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships) because I stopped counting after 1. One thing that makes me different is I can’t sleep without socks. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to go to Walmart to pick up my online order (gotta rake in those ebates dollars!!!).
*******************************************************************************************************
I’m gonna have to post this on my blog J!!! Thanks for the idea.

Hi, my name is Brian. I currently have $70 (!) dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $43,922.07, and now have a net worth of $334,429.92. I currently work as a CPA and have been doing it for 8 years. I make roughly $120,000 per year. I want to have $2.5 million waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy pizza, beer and soccer. I think the world would be a better place if Donald Trump didn’t exist. I had steak for dinner last night and it was ace. I have had maybe 5 significant others over the course of my lifetime (counting awkward middle school relationships). One thing that makes me different is that I’ve never tried any drugs outside of alcohol (not even marijuana) (ha, copied ya!). Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to hop on this conference call….

Hi i’m N.M. i currently have 0 dollars in my wallet. When i started managing my finances i had a net worth of -21000, i now have a networth of 1000$. I currently work an entry level position for a Bank. I make roughly 35,000 a year i want 800,000 waiting for mw when i retire. Aside for learning about PF i enjoy reading, chocolate, all you can eat sushi, jogging. I think the world would be a better place without debt. I had lasanga and samosas for dinner last night. Ive had 0 significant others and something different about me is i managed to pay all that student loan debt while only having this permenant fulltime adult like job the last 8 months and was working temp contract jobs and sidehustles until then. So im super exited to start using everything ive been learning to build personal wealth.

Hi, my name is ZJ I currently have 26 dollars in my wallet. When I started managing my finances I was worth $-150000, and now have a net worth of $-140000. I currently work business owner and have been doing it for 3 years. I make roughly $70000 per year. I want to have $980,000 waiting for me when it comes time to retire. Aside from learning about finances, I really enjoy learning new skills and visiting my girlfriend. I think the world would be a better place if apathy didn’t exist. I had burger and beer for dinner last night and it was perfect. I have had 3 significant others over the course of my lifetime. One thing that makes me different is I’m a lesbian and know languages you’ve never heard of.. Now that I’m done with this mad lib, I think I’m going to read another post.

My other projects

Disclaimer

I, J. Money, only claim the thoughts from my head. I am not a banker, CPA, money manager or anything else of that sort. Please seek a professional for any "real" advice. More info: privacy & disclosure page